Barbie doll clothes may be expensive, but this is a necessity for children who love their dolls. These very small clothes are also very easy to remove by children and often have to be replaced with new ones. To save a little on your expenses and reduce the number of visits to the toy store, here are some ways to make barbie clothes that you can do yourself!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Dress from Old Shirt Sleeves
Step 1. Find the sleeve of the old shirt
This will be the material for the doll's dress, so choose whatever pattern/fabric you'd like. Cut the sleeve where it meets the body of the shirt.
Step 2. Make the shape of the dress
Start at the top where the diagonal cut has formed (because of the way the sleeves are sewn to the body), turn the sleeves inside out, and fold them so there's about 2.5cm of overlap on one side, and 5-7.5cm of overlap. overlapping sections on the other side (because of the diagonal cut).
Step 3. Attach the elastic on the top of the dress
Place a piece of elastic at a distance of 1.2 cm from the top hem of the dress. Pull tightly around the dress, and cut to the length you want, securing both ends of the rubber with fabric glue. Fold the remaining fabric over the elastic and sew the bottom of the rubber to make the sheath.
You can also ruffle the fabric on the top of the dress to make it even more stylish
Step 4. Give the finishing touches
A diagonal cut on the dress (due to the original shape of the sleeves) will give the appearance of a long dress with diagonal hem. Add a cute necklace to complete the look.
Method 2 of 3: Making a Shirt from Old Socks
Step 1. Make the pants
This dress can be worn by both male and female dolls, depending on the pattern you use.
- Find an old sock (half-calf socks are the best choice), and cut off the sole of the foot. Remove the sole of the foot, and turn the rest inside out. Starting at the bottom, cut the center to about 3.7 cm from the top end.
- Sew the piece you just made into two separate pieces. To prevent frayed sock fabric, use a zigzag pattern stitch called serging. This stitch will make two different pant legs. Flip the pants from the inside out to get a neatly sewn finish for your barbie doll. The rubber waistband will naturally form from the rubber on the top of the sock.
Step 2. Make a t-shirt or dress
This method can be used for both types of clothing (both t-shirts and dresses); the difference is the length of the socks.
- Choose your socks (use children's socks, and not adult socks), then cut them according to your dress design. If you're making a dress, cut the sock a few inches above the sole. If you are making a t-shirt, cut it 7.5 - 10 cm from the top edge.
- Make sleeve holes by making V-shaped holes on each side of the sock, just below the sock's elastic.
Step 3. Make the skirt
This method is perfect for easily replacing lost barbie clothes in a short time.
This method of making this barbie skirt is very simple and fast. Look for children's or toddler socks, and cut them to the desired length. This length of course depends on how long or short the skirt you want (between 5 to 10 cm). The stretchy sock material will allow the skirt to fit your barbie doll's body without the need for additional steps
Method 3 of 3: Making a Skirt out of Fabric
Step 1. Cut the fabric
Decide if you want to use one or two pieces of fabric for a more unique look. The entire fabric (either one or two pieces of fabric) should be between 5 and 10 cm wide, depending on the final length of the skirt you want, and about 17.5-20 cm long (to surround the barbie doll). Measure the fabric around the barbie doll's body and remove the excess. The following is a how-to guide to complete this step.
Step 2. Sew the fabrics together
If you choose to use two pieces of fabric, lay them both down and sew them together. You can use a sewing machine, or sew straight lines with needle and thread at this step.
Step 3. Attach the elastic
Place a piece of elastic behind the fabric about 1.2 cm from the top hem of the skirt. Fold the fabric over the elastic and sew tightly. This will be the elastic waistband on the skirt. Cut the remaining elastic from each side.
Step 4. Sew the skirt hem
Turn the fabric towards you and fold it in half so the skirt looks "upside down" and you can sew the edges (serging way). Then flip the skirt back towards you, and your doll's skirt is ready!
